Flying machine



May 10, 1932. H. M. I EoNARD 1,857,964-,

FLYING MACHINE Jewry Leonard IZ 6 75 BY :uil AITORNEY Aug. 2l, 1945. 5 ANTHONY 2,382,964

TROUSER HANGER Filed June l0, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 10, 1932- H. M. LEONARD 1,857,964

FLYING MACHINE Filed March 14, 1931 3 shets-sheet 5 Patented May 10, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Frm-Ne :ummm

Application ledlaroh 14, 1931. Serial No. 522,555.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in iying machines and has more particular reference to those of the amphibian type.

s For the purpose of this specification the term G. A. L. will stand for the combined term gillaileron lead wherein G stands for gill, A stands for aileron, and L for lead or leading edge. The term G. A. L. will be lo used to mean a superleading edge on the wing or wings of the machine.

It is one object of this invention to construct a G. A. L. having Athree different operating positions; namely, one, a closed po- '5 sition or fall position; two, a neutral or central position; and three, an extremely high or raised position.

For the purpose of this specification lche latter two positions of the G. A. L. mentioned above will be known as being in ioating positions, that is, they are operated by a stream of air directly attacking them on their own respective leading edges and thereby exposing the wing or airfoil leading edge,

which combined, forms the superleading edge of the craft.

As another object of this invention it is proposed to construct the gillaileron (lead) to operate similar to the gills of a fish or resemble them. They should be closely fitted on the wings leading edge and have the same curvature of their respective cambers, upper and lower, and having a horizontal position (that is opposite to a iish) in that they are in vertical position on a ish while on the instant device they are horizontal.

It is a still further object of this invention to construct the G. A. L. sothat when in closed positions they are hardly noticeable because they are not separated from the wing but are merely lying tangent on the leading edge, when in operation while still in a lower position, they represent a somewhat broken looking leading edge and moving in a semicircular position by the force of push or connecting rods attached to them.

A still further object of this invention is to construct the G. A. L. to rise and fall so that when they are in an extended or raised position they are known to be floating in midair and may function just the same in their floating position (as well as in their neutral or central position); and also in their extreme lower or fall position.

Furthermore this invention proposes the construction of the G. A, L. with suitable pivots on their extreme nose on which they should be hinged for moving forward and backward by mea-ns of a push or connectin rod and to arrange them double on eac wing, one being on the upper and the other on the lower camber on the right and left sides.

Furthermore as another object of this invention it is proposed to construct the G. A.

L. with long streamlined levers on which they hinge and every lever being connected and housed between two nose ribs entirely enclosed and attached direct to the dragstruts of the wingspars.

One of the main reasons for constructing the G. A. L. is to maintain an unbroken or reduced lifting airfoil surface or wing and a fullairfoil having controllable wing banking, turning, safety, slow-landing, and stabilizing means to maneuver the craft.

It is a still further obj ect of this invention to provide suitable covered spaces accessible for repairing and inspecting the mechanical devices, such as inspection doors, vents and slides, for the maintenance and upkeep of the craft, and mechanical devices.

It is a still further object to arrange the inspection doors for the inspection of the various mechanically control means or devices of the craftswing; to arrange slides of thin metal strips so constructed and placed to move over the open spaces to cover or conceal them to prevent any foreign matter to shafts of the G. A. L. travels and conceals them from any foreign bodies.

It is also proposed to provide vents in the trailing edge for the escape of air entering the enclosed spaced, internal compartments, when the G. A. L. are opened.

It is still further proposed to construct all the hinge levers and push rods instreamline shape and make them of non-corrosive material. Further, to enclose them in between two solid ribs of non -corrosive material to prevent any foreign matter from entering the wing compartments.

One of the main reasons for constructing the G. A. L. on the leading edge is that they are to act as direct guides, leaders, and controllers, of the craft, and naturally since they guide, lead, and control the craft, the rest of the craft must follow in the same path or directions during normal flight or otherwise.

Another reason for constructing the G. A. L. on the leading edge is that on huge aircrafts the after ailerons are practically useless and a failure in case the craft is forced into a tailspin or nose dive and distastrous results follow; the G. A. L. will guide and lead the craft and control same occurence into a normal flying position, prevent tailspin, nose dive, and any other unnatural disturbance and provide a greater gliding angle.

safe, slow landing speed, since should one of the G. A. L. upper or lower get out of control or damaged by accident or otherwise, their opposite mating pair may be used to control" ing the planes motion into a counter clocky wise turn, by the use of their mating pair of G. A. L., which have been especially constructed for a more rapid change to bank the ship, due to their shorter traveling distance along their respective radii.

It is a further object to construct the G. A. L. to operate on a more rapid motion, since their respective traveling distance along their respective radii have been reduced to half the distance, because the upper G. A. L. travels from its closed position or normal point on the upper camber to its motive position above theupper camber at about 30 approximately. Also do the lower G. A. L. function the same, except that they travel in an opposite direction, from the lower cambers normal point, to its operating motive position along its respective circumferential radius.

For further comprehension'of the invention, and ofthe objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the followin description and accompanying drawings, an to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings forming a material part of this disclosure Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a craft constructed according to this invention.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged edge elevational view looking in the direction of the line 4--4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, but with an indicated position of the G. A. L.

Fig. 6 is another view similar to Fig. 4, but

showing another adjusted position of the G. A. L.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view taken on the line 7-7 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 8--8 of Fig. 7.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged detailed view of the mechanism for controlling the G. A. L.

Fig. 11 is a sectional view taken on the line 11--11 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view taken on the line 12-12 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 13--13 of Fig. 10.

Fig.. 14 is a sectional view taken on the line 14--14 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken on the line 15-15 of Fig. 1.

The invention has been shown applied to an amphibian type of flying machine. The complete details of this machine are not illustrated, since they form part of this invention but not described. It is thought sufficient that the main portions of this craft be reviewed so that the relation of the invention as applied to it can be understood. For this purpose the reference numeral 10 indicates the vwhole of the craft, 11 the wind shield, 12 the landing gear, 13 the tail skid, 14 the rudder, 15 the elevators, 16 the stabilizers, 17 the motor driven propeller, and 18 the main wings. The G. A. L., indicated by reference numeral 19, are arranged upon the leading edge of the main wings 18 extending from the ends inwards substantially through a distance of one-third the length of the wings. In Fig. 1 dot and dash lines 20 indicate a pivoted position of the G. A. L. In Fig. 3 the' dot and dash lines 21 indicate the extended position of the G. A. L.

The G. A. L. 19 is mounted upon each of the wings 18 and comprises an upper gill member 22 and a lower 'll member 23 on the leading edge of the wings and of shapes t0 forma leading edge and having the same Eil curvature. In Fig. 4 an edge elevational view of the G. A. L. is clearly seen and it should be noticed that they fit in with the formation of the wings themselves. When closed as shown iny Fig. 4, the operation of the G. A. L. is as thought plain. It is only when the G. A. L. is opened, as for example as shown in Fig. 5 or Fig. 6, that there is any effect.

In the closed position of the G. A. L. as shown in Fig. 4, the front edges are immediately adjacent each other so that they touch, while the inside edges touch and are tangent to the contour of the wing. The outer surfaces are of such curvatures as to naturally fit in with the curvature of the wing. These gill members are provided with means for moving them directly away from each other to various positions off the wing and means for tilting about their front axes in any of their various positions.

The means for moving the gill members directly away from each other to various positions off the wing comprises a vertical spar shaft 24 having threads of different hands and supporting brackets 25 normally close to each other and arranged so that upon rotation of the spar shaft the brackets move simultaneously away from each other. The spar shaft 24 is rotativelj7 supported in standards 26 at its ends, which standards are mounted within the wing spars. Stud shafts 27 project from each of the brackets and are rotative in the brackets. j

Hinge levers 28 rotatively connect on the stud shafts and extend frontwards and pivotally connect at 29 upon the front nose of the gill members. Gill rods 30 pivotally connect "on the gill members intermediately of the front and rear edges and are adjustably mounted upon the brackets 25. This adjustable mounting is obtained by reason of casting members 31 rotative on the stud shafts 2 7 and formed with a slot through which the gill rods slidably pass. Gears 32 are fixed upon the stud shafts 27 and mesh with rack teeth 33 formed on the gill rods so that upon rotation of the stud shafts the rods are rotated.

A means is also provided for turning the spar shaft 24. This means is in the form of a worm wheel 34 fixed upon the spar shaft at its center so as to be located between the brackets 25 and meshing with a worm pinion 35 fixed upon a shaft 36 rotatively supported and carrying a bevel gear 37 in mesh with another bevel gear 38 upon a shaft 39 rotatively sup orted. A bevel gear 40 is fixed upon the sha t 39 and in mesh with a bevel gear 41 on a rotatively supported shaft 42 which carries a bevel gear 43 meshing with a bevel pinion 44 upon a shaft 45 carrying a hand wheel 46 for its manual turning. Standards 47 serve to support the shaft 42.

The means for tilting the gill .members wheel 48 fixed upon the .stud shaft 27 and engaged by a chain 49 engaged over a second sprocket 50 fixed upon a second stud shaft 51 rotativel mounted in the bracket 25. A pair of radlal arms 52 project from each of the shafts 51. Cables 53 and 54 are respectlvely connected with the pair of arms 52 and extend over a drum 55 fixed upon a tubular member 56. Another pair of cables 57 and 58 connect with the radlal arms 52 of the bracket and extend over a drum 59 fixed upon the same tubular member 56. The tubular member 56 has a flange portion 60 at its bottom end upon which push rods 61 pivotally connect at diametrically opposite sldes. At the other ends the push rods connect upon a bracket 62 rotative upon the shaft 45. A hand wheel 63 is fixed upon'the tubular member 62 for its manual adjustment.

To control the rudder of the craft, a pair of radial arms 64 are used which project from the bracket 62. Cables 65 from these radial arms extend to the rudder on opposite sides thereof for moving it one wa or 'the other. The tubular member 62 is fixe upon a transverse tubular member 66 having tubular reduced portions 67. The shaft 42 extends through the tube 67 and 66. Radial arms 68 are fixed upon the tubes 67 and are for the purpose of controlling the elevators of the craft. For this reason cables 69 connect with the radial arms 68 and extend rearwards to the elevators. The dotted lines in Fig. 12 represent the position of radial arms 64 when the G. A. L. is separated.

In Fig. 14 it should be noticed that the dru'm 55 is keyed with keys 70 upon the tubular member 56 and the manner in which the cables 53, 54, 57 and 58 extend in opposite directions. In Fig. 13 a packing box i 71- is shown closing the top end of the tubular member 56. A bearing 72 is positioned within a head member 73 on the packing box so as to allow turning of the shaft 39.

The landing gear 12 comprises a pair of Wheels 75 which are retractable. Each of the wheels is mounted upon a stem 76 resiliently cushioned by shock absorbing rubber discs, structure 77 Within a member 78. A screw thread arrangement 79 is formed within the casing member and connected with an extending shaft carrying a bevel gear 80, so that upon rotation of the bevel gear the wheel 75 is drawn upwards or extended outwards. A bevel gear 81 meshes with the bevel gear 'and is fixed upon a shaft 82 extending completely across to the other side of the craft and is similarly connected for operating the other wheel. Bevel gears 80 and 81 are rotatively held in a suitable T shape mounting 82 designed so as to prevent jamming of the said gears when the landing gears G. A. L. to function around the pivot points strike the ground heavily. upon the shaft 82 carries a chain 84 meshm with a s rocket 85 upon a control shaft 86. crank 8 upon the shaft 86 is for the pur ose of causing the retraction or extension o the wheels 75. Reinforcement struts 88 are connected upon one side of the frame 89 which surrounds the wheel and pivotallyV at 90 u on the hollow of the craft. The last descri ed members are part of the present invention and will be claimed more specifically in a separate application.

A pair ofcontrols is illustrated in Fig. 10 for selectively operating the G. A. L. on each end of the main wing 18. In Fig. just one half of the ship has been shown with one of the controls. A second control is nec- 'cssar In operation, the craft may ily with the A. L. closed. Whenever it becomes necessary during different conditions of ilying, the hand wheel 63 of one or the other of the controls may be turned for causing the upper-and lower gill members of the The motion of pivoting may be traced from the hand wheel 63 down to the bracket 62, then by reason of the push rod 61 to cause pivoting of the tubular member 56. .Thus the drums 55 and 59 are turned so as to pivot the shafts 51 in one direction or in the` other depending upon the direction or turnin of the hand wheel 63. The turning of the s aft 51 is transmitted to the stud shaft 27 so as to cause the gears 32 to turn and extend the gill rods to cause the gill members 19 and 23 to simultaneously pivot about the points 29. In Fig. 5 the dot and dash positions ingtiacate the pivoted positions of the gill mem- The gill members mag' be simultaneously separated from each ot er,l for example to ositions as indicated by full lines in Fig. 6, y turning the hand control 46. Motion from hand wheel 46 is transmitted to the worm pinion 35 and worm wheel 34. This j causes turning of the shaft 24 and causes the parts 25 to move simultaneously towards each other or away from each other. Dot

and dash lines 93 in Fig. 7 indicate another position of the brackets 25. In Fi 7 reference. numeral 94 indicates spar mem' ets within the win of the machine. In Fig. 9 d ot and dash lines 95 indicate pivoted positions of the supporting members 31 which guide the extension and retraction of the gill rods Struts 96 extend from the hollow of the ship up and supporting the wings 18. It is within these struts that all control cablesand shafting extends so as not to expose these parts. The vcraft may be perfectly controlled i. with the G. A. L. mechanism and may be steered by operating the gill ailerons at one ofthe ends of the wing 18.

A sprocket 83` While I have shown and described the preferred embodiment of my invention, it 1s to be understood that I do not limit myself to the precise construction herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all .changes and modifications coming within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a flying machine having wings, gill ailerons mounted on each wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on the leading edge of the wing and of shapes to form a leading edge and be tangent against said wing, a vertical spar shaft having threads of different hands, brackets engaging said threads, stud shafts projecting rom said brackets, hinge levers rotative on said stud shafts and pivotall connected with the leading edges of said l members, push rods pivotally connected on said 'll members intermediately and adjustab y on said brackets, and means for turning said spar shaft, means for. moving said gill members directly away from each other to various positions off said wing, means for adjusting said push rods, and means for tilting said gill members about their front axes in any position.

2. In Vcombination with a flying machine having wings, gill ailerons. mounted on each wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on the lead edge of the wing, a vertical spar shaft having threads of diiferent hands, brackets engaging said threads, stud shafts projecting from said brackets, hinge levers rotative on said stud shafts and pivotally connected with the leading edges of said gill members, push rods pivotally connected on said gill members intermediately and adjustably on4 said brackets, and means for turning said spar shaft, means for moving said' gill members directly away from each other to various positions oil' said wing, means for adjusting said push rods, and means for tiltin said gill members about their front axes 1n any position.

3. In combination with a flying machine having wings, gill ailerons mounted on each wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on the leading edge of the wing and of shapes to form a leading edge and to be tangent to said Wing, a vertical spar shaft having threads of diiferent hands, brackets engaging said threads, stud shafts projecting from said brackets, hinge levers on said stud shafts and pivotally connected with the lead edges of said gill members, gill rods pivotally connected on said gill member intermediately and adjustably on said brackets, and means for turning said spar shaft, means for moving said gill members directly away from each other to various positions oi said wing, means for adjusting said gill rods, and means for tilting said gill members about their fronts as axes in any position, said means for moving said gill members directly away from each other to various positions off said wing, comprises a vertical spar shaft having threads of different hands, brackets engaging said threads, stud shafts projecting from said brackets, hinge levers on said stud shafts and pivotally connected with the lead edges of said gill members, gill rods pivotally connected on said gill members intermediately and adjustably on said brackets, and means for turning said spar shaft.

4. In combination with a flying machine having wings, gill ailerons mounted on each wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on the leading edge of the wing and of shapes to form a leading ,edge and be tangent against said wing, a vertical spar shaft having threads of different hands,

brackets engaging said threads, stud shafts projecting from said brackets, hinge levers having wings, gill ailerons mounted on each wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on the leading edge of the wing and of shapes to form a leading edge an`d be tangent against said wing, a vertical spar shaft having threads -of different hands, brackets engaging said threads, stud shafts projecting from said brackets, hinge levers rotative on said stud shafts and pivotally connected with the leading edges of said gill members, push rods pivotally connected with said gill members intermediately and adjustably on said brackets, and means for turning said spar shaft, means for moving said gill members directly away from each other to various positions of said wing, means for tilting said gill members about their front axis in any position, the threads on said `spar shaft being right and left respectively.

6. In combination with a flying machine having wings, gill ailerons mounted on each wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on theleading edge of the wing and of shapes to form a leading edge and be tangent against said wing, a vertical spar shaft having threads of different hands,

brackets engaging said threads, stud shafts projecting from said brackets, hinge levers rotative on said stud shafts and pivotally connected with the leading edges of said gill 5. In combination with a flying machine g members, push rods pivotally connected with said gill members intermediately and adjustably on said brackets, and means for turning said spar shaft, means for moving said gill members directly away from each other to various positions of said wing, means for tilting said gill members about their front axis in any position, said brackets being so positioned on the spar shaft as to normally be substantially adjacent to each other at the center and be capable of moving simultaneously away from each other.

7. In combination with a flying machine having wings, gill ailerons mounted on each wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on the leading ed e of the wing and of shapes to form a leaging edge and be tangent against said wing, a vertical spar shaft having threads of different hands, brackets en aging said threads, stud shafts projecting rom said brackets, hinge levers rotative on said stud shafts and pivotally connected with the leading edges of said gill members, push rods pivotally connected with said'gill members intermediately and adjustably on said brackets, and means for turning said spar shaft, means for moving said gill members directly away from each other to various positions of said wing, means for tilting said gill members about their front axis in any osition, the adjustable connection of the g1ll rods upon said brackets comprising rack teeth on. the gill rods meshing with gears fixed on said stud shafts, and said ill rods being slidable in members rotative on the shafts to maintain the contact of the teeth with the gears.

8. In combination with a fiying machine having wings, gill ailerons mounted on each wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on the leading ed e of the wing and of shapes to form a lea ing edge and be tangent against said wing, a vertical span.-

shaft having threads of different hands, brackets engaging said threads, stud shafts projecting from said brackets, hinge levers rotative on said stud shafts andr pivotally connected with the leading edges of said vgill members, push rods pivotally connected with said gill members intermediately and adjustably on said brackets, and means for turning said spar shaft, means for moving said gill members directly away from each other to various positions of said wing, means for tilting said gill members about their front axis in any position, comprising a worm on said spar shaft meshing with a worm pinion connected with a transmission terminating in a control handle.

9. In combination with a flying machine having wings, gill ailerons mounted on each wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on the leading edge of the wing and lof shapes to form a leading edge and be tangent against said wing, a vertical spar v ably on said brackets, and means for turning said spar shaft, means for moving said gill members directly away from each other to various positions of said wing, means for tilting said gill members about their front axis in any position, comprising means for adjusting said push rods.

10. In combination with a ilying`machine having wings, gill ailerons mounted on ea-ch wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on the leading'edge of the wing andl of shapes to fdrm aleading edge and be tangentagainst said wing, a vertical spar shaft having threads of different hands,

n brackets engraging saidv threads, studshafts projecting om said brackets, hinge levers rotative on said stud shafts and pivotally connected with the leading edges ofsaid gill members, push rods'pivotally connected with said gill members intermediately and adjustabl on saidbrackets, and means for turning sai spar, shaft, means for moving said gill' members directly away from each other to various positions of. said wing, means for tilting said gill members about their front axis in any position, comprising means for adjusting said push rods, said latter means comprising a transmission system to turn said stud shafts and terminating in a hand control lever.`

11. In combina-tion with a flying machine having wings, gill ailerons mounted on each wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on the leading edge of the win and of shapes to form a leading edge an be tangent against said wing, a vertical spar shaft having threads of different hands,

brackets engaging said threads, stud shafts projecting from said-brackets, hinge leversv rotativevon said stud shafts and pivotally connected with the'leading edges of said gill members, push rods pivotally connected with said gill members intermediately and adjustably on said brackets, and means for turning said spar shaft, means for moving said gill members directly away from each otherto various positions of said wing, means for tilting said gill members about their front axis in any position, comprising means for adjusting said gill rods, saidlatter means comprising a transmission system to turn said stud shafts and terminating in a-hand control lever, a means being also provided for work-- ing the rudder and the elevators of the craft. 12. In combination with a flying machine having wings, gill ailerons mounted on each wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on the leading edge of the lwingl and of shapes .tojform a leading edge and be tan ent against said wing, a vertical spar shaft aving threads of'- different hands, brackets engaging said threads, stud shafts projecting from said brackets, hinge levers rotative on said stud shafts and pivotall connected with the leading edges of said members, push rods pivotally connected with said gill members intermediat'ely and adiustabl on said brackets, and means for turnin sai spar shaft, means for moving said gi members vdirectlv away from each other to various positionsof said wing, means for tilting said gill members about their front axis 1n any position, comprising means for comprising a transmission system to turn said `stud shafts and terminating ina hand control lever, a means being also provided for working the rudder and the elevators of the craft, said latter means being synchronized with the G.' A. L.

13. In combination with a flying machine having wings, gill ailerons mounted on each wing and comprising an up r and a lower gill member on the lead edges of the wing and of shapes to form a lead edge and be adjusting said push rods, said latter means f flat against said wing, a vertical spar vshaft Vhaving threads of different hands, brackets engaging said threads, studshafts projecting from said bra'ckets, hinge levers on said stud shafts and pivotally connected with the lead edges of said gill members, gill rods pivotally connected on said gill members intermediately and adjustably on said brackets, and means. for turning said spar shaft,

" means for moving said gill members directly away from each other to-various positions ofi' said wing, means for adjusting said gill rods, means for tilting said gill members about their fronts as axes in any position, said latter two means being associated with each other so as to terminate in a'control wheel immediately adjacent a second control wheel coaxially arranged fpr selectively controlling both of said means.

14. In combination with a flying machine having wings, gill ailerons mounted on each wing and comprising an upper and a lower gill member on the lead edge of the wing and of shapes to form a lead edge and be tangent to said wing, a vertical spar shaft having threads of different hands, brackets4 said gill members,

sis

sition, said latter two means being associated with each other so as to terminate in a control wheel immediately adjacent to a second control Wheel coaxially arran ed for selectively controlling` both of sai means, a tubular member being connected with one of said hand wheels, and supporting a shaft therein connected with the second hand wheel. l

In testimony whereof I have axed my signature.

HENRY M. LEONARD.

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